Engagng 4WD

[Berry]

I recently purchased a 1998 4Runner Limited-V6 3.4L, automatic transmission with 43k. Fantastic condition but no owners manual and not familiar with properly engaging the 4WD system. -Basically purdhased from a little old lady with no husband around-so she really can't tell me.
Need to get the 4Runner into 2WD and how will I know she is in 2WD? The same applies to getting her into 4W drive? I am sure most owners of this vehicle will know exactly what I am tryimg to explain so I won't continue unless you need more info from me. The 4Runner just seems to be in 4W drive but maybe because I am just not use to how this vehicle rolls down the road. So on that note any help is greatly appreciaited! I am in the process of locating a manual-I guess ebay would be the best bet at this point-or diretcly from Toyota. Thanks for your help and suggestions in advance.

 

[daugherty83]

You have a standard part time 4wd system with a two speed transfer case. You can select from 2WD, 4WD Hi range, and 4WD Lo range. With your truck being a Limited, you also have a 4WD Hi button. Pushing this in is the same thing as shifting the 4wd lever into 4WD Hi. It was installed as an option on the Limited as an easy way to get into 4WD Hi, without having to shift the lever. As far as telling whether or not it is in
4WD, you should certainly feel the difference especially when on hard packed surfaces and pavement. I would not recomment using 4WD in Hi or Lo range on hard surfaces unless snow and ice are present which allows the needed slip to occur so you do not experience any binding in your driveline. Not sure on your 98, but you should almost certainly have a 4WD indicator light and possibly a 4LO indicator light. Hope this helps.

 

[Berry]

Thanks for that info-Yes there is the idiot light for 4W drive which I have not seen when I thought I was in 4WD. I am somewhat not sure about shifting and placement and also wondering if the 4WD system is working properly. If the 4WD shifter is in (N) does that mean the vehicle is in 2 wheel drive?

 

[KellyJ]

Thanks for that info-Yes there is the idiot light for 4W drive which I have not seen when I thought I was in 4WD. I am somewhat not sure about shifting and placement and also wondering if the 4WD system is working properly. If the 4WD shifter is in (N) does that mean the vehicle is in 2 wheel drive?

Nope, that means the transfer case is in Neutral, and I don't think you'll get any power to any wheels in that case.

 

[Berry]

Nope, that means the transfer case is in Neutral, and I don't think you'll get any power to any wheels in that case.

Does that mean that the only way to engage the system is from the 4WD button on the shifter?

 

[Brian32]

this should help.. i thought there was a bigger post about this but this is all i could find

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=92

 

[KellyJ]

Yes, to get 4WD HIGH, depress the button. To get to 4WD LOW, put the transmission selector into N while stopped, then move the transfer case lever all the way forward, and when you put the transmission back into D, you'll be in 4WD LOW.

 

[J.A.]

Does that mean that the only way to engage the system is from the 4WD button on the shifter?

Correct

I hope you dont find that it is in 4WD already as you said the previous owner didnt know how the system worked and it shouldnt be operated in 4WD on dry ground.

Operation is as follows (1998 LTD)

Lever all the way toward the rear of the vehicle, 4WD button out = H2
Lever all the way toward the rear of the vehicle, 4WD button in = H4
Lever in the center position = Neutral
Lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle = L4

The four- wheel drive indicator light comes on when the H4, N or L4 mode is selected.

 

[Berry]

Yes, to get 4WD HIGH, depress the button. To get to 4WD LOW, put the transmission selector into N while stopped, then move the transfer case lever all the way forward, and when you put the transmission back into D, you'll be in 4WD LOW.

Will the indicator light in the lower right corner of the dash go on and off when I switch from 2WD to 4WD? So it's just a matter of depressing the 4WD button to go from 2WD to 4WD? As you can tell my knowledge of this is about 0!

 

[J.A.]

Will the indicator light in the lower right corner of the dash go on and off when I switch from 2WD to 4WD? So it's just a matter of depressing the 4WD button to go from 2WD to 4WD? As you can tell my knowledge of this is about 0!

Yes to both questions but again your system is part time (no center diff) so when testing on dry ground go in a straight line so you dont get drivetrain binding.

 

[Berry]

Yes to both questions but again your system is part time (no center diff) so when testing on dry ground go in a straight line so you dont get drivetrain binding.

I already believe I did something wrong because I got the sound and feel of grinding gears.

 

[J.A.]

I already believe I did something wrong because I got the sound and feel of grinding gears.

You may get that from time to time when shifting from 4H to 4L, just shift firmly, have the tranny in N, and be either stopped or moving very slowly. One thing I hate about the 4th gens as opposed to the 3rd gens is that in the 4th gen you cannot shift to 4L unless you are completly stopped, on the 3rd gens (1996-2000 at least) you can do this while rolling.

 

[Berry]

Correct

I hope you dont find that it is in 4WD already as you said the previous owner didnt know how the system worked and it shouldnt be operated in 4WD on dry ground.

Operation is as follows (1998 LTD)

Lever all the way toward the rear of the vehicle, 4WD button out = H2
Lever all the way toward the rear of the vehicle, 4WD button in = H4
Lever in the center position = Neutral
Lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle = L4

The four- wheel drive indicator light comes on when the H4, N or L4 mode is selected.

Has there been a problem with the 4WD shifter button on this model and year? I have come across these questions and concerns on another forum while searching for answers?

 

[J.A.]

Has there been a problem with the 4WD shifter button on this model and year? I have come across these questions and concerns on another forum while searching for answers?

No, not in general.

 

[daugherty83]

You can get into 4High with either the button or the lever.

 

[J.A.]

You can get into 4High with either the button or the lever.

Not on a 1998 Limited.

 

[daugherty83]

I stand corrected. I assumed the lever had a 4Hi position as well as having the 4WD button.

 

[Berry]

Yes, to get 4WD HIGH, depress the button. To get to 4WD LOW, put the transmission selector into N while stopped, then move the transfer case lever all the way forward, and when you put the transmission back into D, you'll be in 4WD LOW.

Thanks for your help! Is this the only time you would use this sequence for this purpose?

 

[Ray.Klefstad]

Pushing this in is the same thing as shifting the 4wd lever into 4WD Hi. It was installed as an option on the Limited as an easy way to get into 4WD Hi, without having to shift the lever.

I'm pretty sure this is not correct.

Depressing the 4WD button on a Limited puts it into all wheel drive (4H without locking the center differential which is between the front and rear axle). This mode is safe to drive on hard surfaces like dry paved roads, as long as you do not lock the rear diff (if your vehicle is so equipped).

Shifting the transfer case lever will move you into locking center differential - either high or low (via neutral) - your choice. Your automatic transmission must be in neutral to shift the transfer case. This mode is not wise to use on dry paved surfaces as it will allow drive-train binding and/or excessive tire wear.

My 2000 limited has a diagram on the dash that lights up to show you what is locked and which axles are getting power - very cool!

Ray

 

[manhunter]

For daily driving in 2wd on dry roads and pavement, the 4wd button selector should be out with the 4wd shifter set at the 4wd Hi position (all the way to the rear). You can shift from 2wd to 4wd high by pushing in the button, leaving the 4wd shifter alone, while driving as long as it is not over 60mph, although I normally try to do it from a stopped position.

If you are driving in the rain, light snow, ice, etc...., I recommend shifting to the 4wd high, but not "on the fly". If you are off-roading, and need more than 4wd high (climbing up/down trails, over rocks, etc...), from a stopped position place the "transmission" shifter into neutral, firmly shift the "4wd" shifter from 4wd Hi to 4wd Lo (all the way forward), then shift your transmission shifter into Drive. If you get in deep mud or sand, and if you have a center differential locking selector (not sure on 98's), selecting that will give you more traction and turns off the VSC system. However, I would not recommend locking the CDL in regular off-roading as you will bet better traction in most cases with the VSC on.

All sounds complicated, but once you have done it and used it a few times, it will come easy.

Have fun.